When life takes an unexpected turn

Daniel 1:1 “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.”

           (Let me just say here,  that Nebuchadnezzar was not the bloody monarch that just killed to be killing….but was very smart in all his world conquests.  

           He took crops, silver, gold, and the most intelligent of the people….as a spoil.  

           And the educated among the people to enlarge the wisemen that would serve him, and as treasurers and counselors in many subjects.

           And he left the others in the nations to plant and harvest grains and produce…particularly for him and his army…and some for the conquered nation, themselves.)

Daniel 1:2-4 “And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his (Nebuchadnezzar) hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God:…

           And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the kings seed, and of the princes;

           Children in whom was no blemish,  but well favored, 

and skillful in all wisdom and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, 

and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace,  

and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.”

Here was a list of requirements to go into education at Babylon…..and at least four young princes of Judah made it there:

           Daniel,  Hananiah,  Mishael,  Azariah.    These were their Hebrew names…all were changed.    (Altho Daniel is called Daniel most of the time)

Daniel,  Shadrach,  Meshach,  Abed-nego….these were four Hebrews which were given to this education…for three years.  

 They would have been in the household of the king….and part of the feasting of the palace.   

          Daniel may have been older,  but whether or not he was,  he was leader of their group….but they all were wanting to honor God in their captivity…however that was to be…

……for during their education…they were to be conformed to the requirements of language,  intelligence and knowledge,  and form, or countenance (for it was important that nothing ugly or sickly looking, be put before the king.)

Daniel 1:8, 12-14 “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat (which would have been sacrificed to his gods, first…then given to the king’s household)….

….nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

          Prove thy servants, I beseech thee,  ten days;  and let them give us pulse (grains) to eat, and water to drink.

          Then  let our countenances be looked upon….and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

          So he consented to  them  in this matter, and proved them ten days.”

We can see that though Daniel was the spokesperson….all four of the Hebrews were in agreement…..that they not defile themselves.

           (This defilement  is spoken of in Deuteronomy, in the song of Moses:

Deuteronomy 32:31-32,38           To have entered into eating these meats and wine,  would have been entering into their worship)

These four woke up one day and were taken away from their home….everything they knew,  changed:

But they  wanted to serve God,  even in the foreign land!   

And their time of testing their belief in God, was successful….they looked healthier and stronger than the others.

        So they were allowed to continue, without defiling themselves…eating the meat and wine.

(And we, too, can not be friends with the world and be a friend of God.  1 John 2:15-17)

Daniel 1:17 “As for these four children,  God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom:…”

This was not their ability….but the ability that God gave them to be useful in the work there.      And they were.        

 They were well thought of….

….except in their love of God, and their stand with Him.

They had been “tried” a little in the food that they were to eat….but as their faith grew,  so did the trials that they were to face.

             Yet in each trial,  God was sufficient for it….for them.

Shadrach,  Meshach, and Abed-nego were called to bow to the golden idol of Nebuchadnezzar….yet did not.

             Tempted by the threat of death….they stood before the king and declared, (and it says that all three answered)…

……”If it be so,  our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,  and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

             But if not,  be it known unto thee,  O king, that we will not serve thy gods,  nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”  (Daniel 3:17-18)

We know that God saved them….alive in the furnace….Him being with them.

            But He would have been saving them,  if He had allowed them to be killed by the furnace….Him being with them.

            (How many of our brothers and sisters in Christ have died at the hands of the world?)

For the message was clear…..in life or death, they would not dishonor God:

           (Philippians 1:20 “According to my earnest expectation and my hope,   that in nothing I shall be ashamed,  but that with all boldness, as always,  so now also  Christ shall be magnified in my body,  whether it be by life ,  or by death.”)

I entitled this:  When life takes an unexpected turn.

How many Christians wake up one day, and find out they have cancer,  or another disease?

How many suffer loss…whether money, position, friends, or family?

           Our God is still with us!

Or how many wake up every day with the same routine?

          Our God is still with us!

Daniel and his friends….seeking to honor God,  found that His kingdom is everywhere…that He reigns everywhere…..and that God saw them and helped them….everywhere.

They were there to serve Babylon’s king….but they saw that his kingdom was transient….and would pass away.

         Whereas God’s kingdom and glory was everlasting….and was just as much a reality in Babylon, for them…as in Judah.

His grace is sufficient…..is what we must learn…through our many trials:

         2 Corinthians 6:1, 4-5, 9-10 “We then, as workers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

         But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,  in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

         In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

         …as dying, and behold, we live;  as chastened, and not killed;

         As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;     as poor, yet making many rich;  as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

Wherever we are in our life….God is still with us!    Let us seek His honor and glory…and do the work we are called to.

How am I filled with the Spirit? 

My husband gives this testimony:

      Years ago, I asked the Lord this very question.  Feeling a need in my ministry…I prayed and kept praying till I got this answer:

“To be filled with My Holy Spirit…you need to be emptied from the fullness of yourself.”

I said,   “I have consecrated my life to you….I have given my life to be your preacher; I witness and pray for others, I work at being obedient to Your commands…..what more should I do?”

(Did you notice how many “I”s there are?  Ouch!   Obviously, being emptied of self is a tall order!)

So I asked….”How do I empty myself out?”

The answer was quite simple….I cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and bring everything that says,  “This is me…and my way of doing a job,  my way of preaching on a text, my way of saying things”……to God….until, everything I am (habits and characteristics) and everything I do,  says “This is Him.”

He showed me that this is my life’s work….to be conformed to His image, here and in all my days.   

He must reign in my life, by a deliberate act of my will….my willing it, for all the things of my life.

Matthew 6:10 “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

Subjection has become a “bad word” today.   (Of course to the wrong elements, it is.)

But subjection to Christ is freedom.

“What!, you say,  that can’t be.  

Subjection is bondage;…..you have to do.”

But the reality of the subjection to Christ,   is a love relationship.   

It is to know that He loves….you 

(No, it is not just the knowledge of the head, having heard it so many times).      

It is a closeness of His Spirit,…..a sweetness of His Voice (even when He corrects us),….and such a sense of rest of heart, and mind (and my mind usually goes around in circles pretty good).

Hosea 11:4 “I drew them with cords of a man,  with bands of love:  and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws,  and I laid meat unto them.”

Jesus Christ came as a man to show us the great love He had for us: 

         By His life in subjection to His Father. (“…for I do always those things that please Him.” John 8:28-29)…

         By His sacrifice to save us from our sins (and they are the real bondage)….

         And by His resurrection, to give us all things in Him.

Song of Solomon 8:7 “Many waters can not quench love,  neither can the floods drown it:  if a man would give all the substance of his house for love,  it would utterly be contemned.”

We can not give anything for the Love of God, for He has loved us with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3). 

Before we were born,  God loved us;  by the Love of His Will.  

It was not because there was anything in us that drew Him to us.

Nor was it because He saw what we would do for Him, after conversion.  Or because of what we would become.   

         No,  He loved us because of one reason:  He willed to do so.

Matthew 6:10 says, His kingdom come,  His will done in earth, as it is in heaven.

And Jesus taught that we should pray this.

In heaven it is done willingly, joyfully, completely.  But also with power.

He has this sort of power for us;  but to get it down here into us we need to have His kingdom come with in us.

He showed me, that we should not ask……How much do I have of God?   

But,   how much does He  have of me?

For we are filled with the Holy Spirit to the degree or extent, that we are willingly emptied of ourself life.

Imagine jars filled with water.   Now, imagine you are going to fill them with another liquid.

They won’t mix, so one of them will “push” the other out.

The one comes in; and the water flows out.

This is the filling of the Holy Spirit.   He flows in, at new birth.

But if we just let Him have that much of us,  it is like a skim of oil on top of the water.

But when we yield to Him, be obedient to His direction, and give up our way…….then He keeps flowing in,…..and our self life,  flows out.

We have more “want to”, ….more power to do,….and more knowledge and joy in the doing.

This is to be being filled with the Holy Spirit;….and it is only as we submit to Christ’s rule in us;  as subjects to King Jesus….

Under His command,  doing His Will.

Ephesians 5:17-18 “Wherefore be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

                  And be not drunk with wine,  wherein is excess;  but be filled with the Spirit;”

     Are we ready to let our self life flow out and let His Spirit flow in?

For good

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,  to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

               As God, He has purposed everything for our “good”….or for our value.   And He knows what will be of value to us….what will bring forth the fruits of the Spirit….what will bring us closer to Him….no matter what valleys or mountains we cross.   

                 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil….for Thou art with me;  Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”  (Psalm 23:4)

              For we are the called according to His Purpose….His leadings,  His determination.   

              (Purpose here in the Greek means “a setting forth”….as the shewbread was on the top of the Table in the Holy Place…at all times:  when the Tabernacle stayed put,  and in travel. 

               The shewbread was not taken down, but kept on the Table….but the Table had a border on it.   Though it slid around,  it could not fall….for God had already seen to it’s care.

               So is our Purpose….we may go through many various circumstances….yet God has already seen to us…that we fall not.)

“All things work together for good”.   Certainly it is for God’s good….and that should be what we are always looking to….for God’s honor and glory.

              For Paul is speaking  “to them that love God”.   

How gracious and providing our God is!

Psalm 46:10-11 “Be still and know that I am God:  I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.  

                 The Lord of hosts is with us;  the God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah.”

“Be still”….we think of our words….when it also means to still our inward thoughts,  and inward turmoil….no matter what the reason.      

How?

        “…and know that I am God:…”   

         This is the way to a stillness of spirit, soul and actions.

We may say,  “I know God…that He is God,  that He is Sovereign….that He is Almighty.   I have experienced many things…and I certainly know that God is God.”

But God is infinite….and our knowledge of Him can grow.

           As  our need is shown,  our sight of God is enlarged and widened.    

           But this also suggests that He knows us, as well.   

Here also is a word of great encouragement:   “The Lord of hosts is with us;”    For surely He knows our fears and worries.

           The Lord that has a thousand armies at HIs disposal….Who can call upon the beasts of the field to do His Will….Who can speak to the hornets to do HIs bidding….

….Who also can make one person,  standing with HIm,  in prayer or speech….to fulfill HIs Will.

Do we know HIm as such?   Have we experienced HIs great deliverance when we were among enemies?

“The God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah.”

            Jacob was a schemer,  yet God was his God….and brought him through many dangerous situations….till he became Israel.     So our God can bring us through….till we are “changed into His likeness” (2 Cor. 3:18)

As God,  He has purposed everything for our “good”….or for our value.  

There are times that we are busy….we are praying…and we know God.    

           But here,  the psalmist shows that we are to know God also,   in stillness.

There are times we just have to stop and “be still”.   

It is not just a sense that we can not argue with God about the circumstances….but it is,  a complete giving of ourselves over to the circumstances….until God changes them.

(We could use the Israelites at the Red Sea as an example.   We know what happened….but they did not know why God had led them this way….especially when they saw the armies of their enemies coming after them.

                     We could use Joshua against the five kings as an example.   Way out numbered,…after an overnight march….they were told to fight them….and so they did.   Completely unaware that God would send hailstones on their enemy.   That day God had the sun stand still…and they fought all this time.

                    We could use Paul being taken to Rome….and a storm, a shipwreck, followed by a snake….yet Paul is the one comforting his captors.)

Where will God lead us in our Purpose?    What will we have to do,….endure….suffer….or be delivered from….only God knows….and yet that is a comforting thought:    God knows….

….and He has worked all things for our good.

Romans 8:28 “…all things work together for good to them that love God….”

                    Paul is writing to them that would soon be under persecution (think of the Christians fed to the lions)…

All things….work together  for our value   to them that love God.

               Here is the wind in the sails of our Purpose…..our love to God.   

For assuredly,  God loves us.

“..If any man will..;  or Whosoever will…”  

Let us talk of Jesus’  invitation:   “If any man will…”

Have you ever come to the submitting of your will,  to God’s revealed will?

It is stated by our Lord Jesus to His disciples:  If any man will.

He says there is a choice involved.  It is not something that is forced upon us.   No, Jesus said,  If any man will;  therefore you can say  “no” to the act of bringing your will into conformity to God’s will.

And those who are born again, are the ones who can make that choice in reality; for they are the only ones who are enabled to know and do God’s will.

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Jesus said:

Matthew 16:24-25 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples,  if any man will come after Me, let him deny himself,  and take up his cross and follow me.

                                   For whosoever will save his life will lose it:  and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.”

Here, in Matthew, Jesus is talking to his disciples.  He states the requirements for discipleship.

 “If” they were going to be His disciples,  then they must choose (for it is always a choice) to deny their self-lives, and follow Him into every circumstance (some very unpleasant) that He leads them in.

The cross is the individual’s choice to give up to Christ,  in that moment (this can not be done once for all),  his “rights”, or plans, or attitudes, etc.

You see Jesus was telling them that to be His disciples in this world, was not an easy path leading to accolades, and position.

(Remember,  that is why the Chief Priests and Pharisees plotted to kill Jesus,  they did not want to give up their “place”.  

John 11: 47-48 “Then gathered the chief priests and Pharisees a counsel,  and said,  What do we?  For this man doeth many miracles.   

                             If we let Him thus alone, all men will believe on Him; and the Romans shall come and take away our place and nation.”)

No,  to be His disciple,  was a path which would lead to greater knowledge and communion with Him.  

If that was what they wanted, then they would be blessed in that knowledge, with joy, peace, love, etc.   

It would be an exciting and blessed path,…..but only if you love Jesus Christ.

If you want the world and Heaven, too.   You will never be a true disciple of Christ.

If you want to follow Christ wherever that leads,  you are choosing discipleship.

A disciple is one who has voluntarily placed himself under the discipline of his Master.

For us, our Master is Jesus Christ,  who not only commands, but takes us by the hand and leads, helps, strengthens,  encourages, and empowers for what He leads us into.

The same is stated in Mark. (only here He is talking to all the people that were following Him, as well)

Mark 8:34-35 “And when He had called the people unto him with his disciples also,  he said unto them,    Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself,  and take up his cross,  and follow Me. 

                           For whosoever will save his life shall lose it;  but whosoever will lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s,  the same shall save it.”

Luke 9:23-24 “And He said to them all,  If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself,  and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

                          For whosoever will save his life shall lose it;  but whosoever will lose his life for My sake,  the same shall save it.”

The life we lose is our life in ourselves.   

You know that the life inside of you is often very different than the one you show to everyone.

     You may look happy and carefree to people;  while there are depressing thoughts, or anger and resentment inside.

     Your desires may rule your heart and mind, but you continue to try and show everyone that you are in control.

If you are in these situations,  and you are a Christian;  Christ has made provision for you for true liberty….If any man will.

Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say,   Come.   And let him that heareth say,  Come.   And let him that is athirst come.    And whosoever will let him take the water of life freely.”

There are a lot of “And”s  here.   That is because Christ is stressing that He has not left them without a means of everything they need.

First,  it is to “Come”.

No problem can be solved if you stay away from Christ.

Second, it is to hear Christ words,  or the Bible.   If you are not reading, because you say you can not understand it;….then pray “come, and explain it to me”.    And He will.

Third, it is to recognize your “thirst”.   In what is your desire?  Just get honest here,  He knows anyway.   

But if you can,  say it out loud,  alone with God, you will be amazed how much you “see”, when you willingly come and admit your need.

Fourth,  it is to take, freely.   

        But it is to take off the water of life.  That is the refreshing communion of the Holy Spirit within,  bubbling up into true life;  Christ’s life within you, and the power for you, that He brings.

This happens,  when you come to Christ.    The invitation is “if any man will”, or “whosoever will”….

Will you?

It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks

Acts 9:5 “And he (Saul) said,  Who art thou, Lord?  And the Lord said,  I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:  it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”

Acts 26:13-14 “At midday,  O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven,  above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

               And when we were all fallen to the earth,  I heard a voice speaking unto me,  and saying in the Hebrew tongue,   Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?  It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”

Twice in scripture,  this little illustration of the means…”the pricks” or goad…. that God used on Saul/Paul to awaken him to his unbelief….is told.

(Let me just say here….that there were many scriptures….of which Saul/Paul knew….which were fulfilled all around him.

              John the Baptist coming to lead the nation to repentance…to prepare a way for the Christ.  Malachi 4:5-6 

              The many miracles,  which Jesus performed for three years

Acts 1:22 “…which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:”

              The illegal arrest and trial of Jesus….secretly at night.   How wrong he knew that was.

              The sign that was hanging above the cross: 

“…Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews..” John 19:19-20

              The resurrection,  testified by so many.

               The day of Penacost where simple fishermen became bold and spoke in many languages of the Christ of God….and so many were saved!

              And finally,  Stephen’s testimony and death….how righteous he was….and forgiving! Acts 7:56-60)

All of these spoke to Saul/Paul that Jesus Christ….who was crucified….and raised,….was the Son of God!

Yet what stopped him from turning to the Lord?       

Unbelief.

              1 Timothy 1:13, 16 “Who was before a blasphemer, and a prosecutor, and injurious:  but I obtained mercy,  because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

               Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy,  that in me first  Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering,  for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.”

Paul, in his many letters,  speaks of belief as the transforming power of God….in the lives of men and women…( Acts 16:31,  Romans 10:9, 1 Cor. 1:21, 1 Thess. 2:13) ….

               Ephesians 1:19 “And the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward   who believe,  according to the working of His mighty power,”

               And he writes of unbelief as the damaging wrecking-ball…which keeps men lost and far from God.

             2 Corinthians 4:4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,  Who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

Jesus said to Saul/Paul….when His light had knocked him down to the earth…

….“It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”  

              This pricks is a goad….or a  long stick which was used to keep oxen moving forward.   

              Often when they were prodded,  they would kick back,  trying to injure the one using the stick….

…and this is what the Lord is accusing Saul/Paul of: 

           “You are trying to kick Me….because I have been prodding you with all these scriptures….which you know….being fulfilled before your eyes.     You want to close your eyes to that light…and hope these things are not so….but they are.

             You have been persecuting  Me,  as you persecute My believers….for they show,  even in their suffering and death….the reality of their profession that I am the Son of God in them.”

Again, I want to say that twice this phrase is used…as a witness (Duet.19:15)…

…..and that is because God does the same to us.

He gives us light….from scripture…read, heard, seen.      He gives us light from the testimonies of believers.     He gives us light in all the things going on in the world.

He gives us light that keeps prodding us into His Way….till we “hear” and “see” Him. 

How far,…or for how long He will “be mercifully longsuffering”  (2 Peter 3:9) is different with each one….

….but as Jesus said to Saul/Paul…

               Acts 26:16 “….for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose…”

(and there is a Purpose for each of us….in the Light of God.)

The Purpose to know….

…….and to show the Light of the glorious gospel….of Jesus Christ:

               Acts 26:18 “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God,  that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 “For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Colossians 1:12-13 “Giving thanks unto the Father,  which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints   in light:

               Who hath delivered us  from the power of darkness,   and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son:”

To believe(John 1:12)… is to put the full weight of our existence upon Christ Jesus.

Will we finally “see” the light that the Lord is showing us….and believe Him?

God loves a cheerful giver. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “But this I say,  He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;  and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

            Every man according as he purposeth in his heart,  so let him give;  not grudgingly, or of necessity:  for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

God loveth a cheerful giver.

This giving is of our time,…..our ability….our testimony,…not just our tithe, and offerings.

Cheerful here, means hilarious….joyfully helpful and generous.    This a thing of the spirit and heart.   For we are giving unto God…ourselves.

(In 2 Corinthians, Paul is talking about the offering he was going to take to Jerusalem for the suffering brethren. There had been persecution, and then a famine….many were suffering.)

But the principle is the same for everything we do for Christ…..God loves a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 15:13, 15 “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart  the spirit is broken.

          All the days of the afflicted are evil:  but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.”

Simply,  God has made our hearts to rejoice in Him…..and  when they don’t…..it bends the spirit, sometime to the breaking point…..and effects our minds…makes us melancholy (a feeling of anxious sadness).

But joy…..or the hilarious giver is blessed….always.

Jesus, said five times….”Be of good cheer”…”or to have joyful courage”:

Matthew 9:2 and Mark 6:50….He spoke of this joyful courage to the man with palsy. 

Matthew 14:27…..to the disciples in the storm, as He walked on the water to them.

To the disciples…before He was betrayed and taken….imagine the knowledge of the suffering to come….yet….He knew He would overcome….and the courageous joy in His heart toward His Father’ Will….was present.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you,  that in Me ye might have peace,  in the world ye shall have tribulation:  but be of good cheer,  I have overcome the world.”

And then, to Paul, when he was first arrested….

Acts 23:11 “….the Lord stood by him, and said,  Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of Me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.”

God does not give as a miser….He gives abundant mercy and grace…and joy.

And He requires that we should act in accordance to what He gives.

Nehemiah 8:9-10 “And Nehemiah,….and Ezra the priest…..and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people,    This day is holy unto the Lord your God:  mourn not, nor weep, for all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

        Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared:  for this day is holy unto your Lord:  neither be ye sorry;  for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Here, are these Israelites gathered to hear the Word of God,….some for the first time (since they had been in captivity)…..and they realize how little they had obeyed the Lord….

….sorrow filled their hearts as the priests taught them the Word, and gave understanding in it….

…yet,….God did not want weeping….but joy in the hearing of His Word….and so commanded them to put away their sorrow, for this day…..

…..and go and enjoy what His Word set forth…..a feast with Him, and their neighbors.  

(This was the peace offering…which was always shared with family, neighbors, friends, and the priests.  And this was to be enjoyed.)

He give us “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:7-8)….and we should give with the utter freedom of cheerfulness…..joyful courage.

Speaking of the gifts among the church….Paul wrote the Romans:

Romans 12:8 “Or he that exhorted, on exhortation:    he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity;   he that ruleth, with diligence (seeing the job done);   he that showeth mercy,   with cheerfulness.”

Anything we do for the Lord, is to be done in joy and peace.  

An old preacher once said,  that as far as he was concerned….the real criteria for spiritual maturity….was the hanging onto the Lord’s joy and peace.

God loves a cheerful giver.    

We should give cheerfully to the Lord….for all that He wants us to do.   

Shiphrah and Puah

Exodus 1:15-16 “And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:

                 And he said,  When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools;  if it be a son,  then ye shall kill him:  but if it be a daughter,  then she shall live.”

(A little history.   The Hebrews came into Egypt under Joseph…to save them from the terrible famine that was ravaging the two lands. 

                The land of Goshen was given to them….and for the first three generations….they were treated well,  for Joseph’s sake.    But then:

Exodus 1:8 “Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.”   

                And then the Egyptian monarchy saw the Israelites as a competitor….for the Israelites  were “more and mightier than we:”  Ex.1:9)

They were made slaves….under terrible taskmasters….and made to build for Pharaoh.

               They thought that the heavy burdens would shorten their lives,  or cause them to be discouraged and despair….and give up life….or a normal life of marriage and children.   

“But…”   (and I love God’s “but”….for it means that He is going to show that no matter the plans and schemes against His people….He is going to overrule….and cause His Will to be done,….anyway!)

Exodus 1:12 “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew….”

God’s time to bring out Israel from Egypt was not yet….but He was working,  so that when they came out….they would come back to Canaan, as a nation, as God told Abraham about. (Genesis 15:13-16)

So here enter our heroines:      Shiphrah (brightness) and Puah (to glitter)…. they were Israelite midwives.  

              And Pharaoh sent for them and commanded them that when the Israelite mothers would call for them….

….that they were to kill the male Israelites,….smother them,  and tell the mothers that it was because of a difficult birth, that they died.

The horribleness of this!   Murder the babies…secretly.   Be the executioners for Pharaoh!

            Yet we must understand,  what these women were up against.   They were slaves….women slaves….being commanded by the highest authority! 

“But”….

Exodus 1:17 “But the midwives feared God,  and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them,  but saved the men children alive.”

We have spoken of the fear of the Lord before….how saving it is!   What a wonderful testimony for these heroes….they feared God.    These women had not just heard of God,  but they had believed on Him….and honored Him.

           It did not keep them from seeing the seriousness of their actions….nor did it close their eyes to the possible punishment from the king….

……”but they feared God”….and that gave them courage to do God’s Will, and save the men children alive….no matter what it cost them.

They obey God, not man….and so…

Exodus 1:18 “And the king of Egypt called for the midwives,…”

            They are brought before the king again…and when questioned…and I am sure it was not a gentle question…..but done under threat.

            But they said, that the Hebrew women are delivering their babies,  before we go into them.   

           (An old Hebrew once said, that he believed, 

           “When they were called to a mother for childbirth…they would pray to God that the mother would have the baby before they arrive.   And God answered their prayers.”

            Whether this is so or not,  I do not know….but I do know, for God has given testimony in His Word…that they would not kill the children….for fear of God!)

They knew that the king could kill them….but trusted God…..and did not kill the children.

Pharaoh abandons his plan of secret killing….and orders the Egyptians, if they have a Israelite slave,  and they are come to birth….they were to cast the sons into the river! (Ex. 1:22)

         (How many sons were killed by this, is unknown….but they were not killed by the midwives,  who “feared God”.)

Exodus 1:20-21 “Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty

         And it came to pass,  because the midwives feared God, that He made them houses.”

These heroes were blessed with husbands and children themselves,  because they feared God more than they feared Pharaoh.

That is the last we hear of these midwives….it is a small story….a few verses;  yet the impact and blessing they had on their people….God took note of.   

 Their names are in HIs Book.   

        ( For He has a Book of remembrance for those that fear Him:

Malachi 3:16-17 “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another:  and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.

           And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as  a man spareth His own son that serveth him.”)

And it was because these midwives feared God.   

          The same “fear” or reverential awe that we should have,  as we come into contact with so many “suggestions”  or “plans”  of the world……or  schemes that the devil tries to trip us up with.

Martha 

Luke 10:38 “Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house.”

  

She did not just listen as He went by….but she welcomed the Lord into her house as well.

 She, Lazarus, and Mary all lived together in Bethany.  

Martha was probably the one who ran the house….keeping it, and seeing to their food.  

When Jesus came to Bethany;  Martha welcomed Him into their home….

….this was a happy occasion, and she went about trying to get everything just right, so that she could enjoy His company.

Lazarus sat with the disciples, and Mary, Martha’s sister,  came and sat at Jesus feet to listen to His Word.

Martha was trying to get things done….

It was not that she did not want to hear the Lord….but she had let the desire to serve the Lord weigh her down….

…..so that instead of enjoying the time He was there….she became “cumbered”.   (This is a term that means something she is dragging around, a weight.)

Then, she began to wonder why Mary was not helping…..which led her to complain to the Lord….about His actions!   

How one thing leads to another!

Luke 10:39-40 “And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard His word.

               But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said,      Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?   Bid her therefore that she help me.”

How like Martha we are!    

She began by wanting fellowship with Jesus….so much so she invited Him to come to her house.

Then, she let  “things” build up in her thoughts….

“I should really do something special….He is so great a person.”

“I really need to hurry….He is already speaking to the others.”

“If only Mary would help me….I could be in there too.”

“Why isn’t the Lord saying anything to her,….so I could hear what He is saying, too?”

These are the “imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Our thoughts run away….going from one thing to another….and before you know it….we are accusing the Lord of not caring about us!

Luke 10:41-42 “And Jesus answered and said unto her,   Martha, Martha, thou art careful (full of care) and troubled about many things (and they are just things):

                But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Notice, how Jesus gently corrects this lovely woman:  “Martha, Martha”….saying her name twice to get her attention.

She was still focused on things….

….”Look at Me, Martha….Listen to Me, Martha….you are getting all worked up about things….

…but Mary has seen that the important thing about having Me in your house….that is to hear Me….

….this I will not take away from her…..but instead invite you to come and join us.”

Jesus loved Martha.  Martha was a true believer.

John 11:5 “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”

They were true friends and disciples of the Lord.   

(In fact the last week of Jesus life was spent going from their house in Bethany, to Jerusalem, during the day, to teach in the Temple….and back to their house at night.)

When Lazarus got sick….Martha and Mary could think of nothing….but taking their concern to Jesus:

John 11:1, 3 “Now a certain man was sick,  named Lazarus,  of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

             Therefore his sisters sent unto Him (Jesus), saying,   Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick.”

Jesus was beyond the Jordan River (where John the Baptist had begun his ministry John 10:40) in Bethabara. 

But when Jesus heard of Lazarus’ illness…..He did nothing….yet.

John 11:6 “When He had heard therefore that he was sick,  He abode two days still in the same place where He was.”

During these two days, Lazarus dies….then it was time to go, so Jesus says:

John 11:7 “Then after that saith to His disciples,  Let us go into Judea again.”

It was a journey of several days to Bethany….so when He gets there,  Lazarus is dead for four days (John 11:39)….and there is a crowd of mourners which were there to grieve with Martha and Mary.

Leaving all….Martha, as soon as she hears Jesus is coming….goes to meet Him. (John 11:20)

Notice the faith of this woman:

John 11:21-22 “Then said Martha unto Jesus,  Lord, if Thou hadst been here,  my brother had not died.

            But I know,  that even now,  whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God,  God will give it Thee.”

Answering this kind of faith,  Jesus says,  “Thy brother shall rise again.”

He was telling her what He was going to do….

She declares her faith in God’s Word….”I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection  at the last day.”

And then Jesus reveals to this dear woman one of His names:  “I am the Resurrection and the Life”.

John 11:25-26 “Jesus said unto her,  I am the resurrection and the life:  he that believeth in Me,  though he were dead,  yet shall he live:

             And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.   Believest thou this?”

Jesus was speaking directly to her faith….Lazarus will be resurrected because of his belief in Me…..and you,  who believe in Me will also have this everlasting life….

….do you believe, Martha?

John 11:27 “She saith unto Him,  Yea, Lord:  I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God,  which should come into the world.”

This is an amazing testimony….”I believe Thou art the Christ….and I am leaving all into your hands….do as Thou wilt.”

She goes gets Mary;   and she and Mary, come to see Jesus.   They are followed by the mourners….

And they take Him to where Lazarus is,  and He tells them to take away the stone….

Martha speaks up about how long he has been dead, and that he would stink….

…one of the laws of Moses said (Numbers 19:11-16):

Numbers 19:16 “And whosoever toucheth…..a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.”

She did not want defilement to come upon Him, or those there….

…but Jesus reminds her

     (how gently He rebukes those that believe in Him, to hang on to His Word to them).

John 11:40 “Jesus saith unto her,  Said I not unto thee,  that, if thou wouldest believe,  thou shouldest see the glory of God?”

Then, when they remove the stone off the grave….He prays, looking up (John 11:41-42):

“Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me.   

And I knew that Thou hearest Me always:  but because of the people that stand by  I said it,  that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me.”

Jesus could pray silently….but He prayed out loud, for a testimony for the people that were there.    He was God’s Son.

(We could say grace silently,  but often pray out loud for a testimony to the people around.   Not to correct, but to testify that we belong to the Lord.)

Then, as God’s Son….Jesus commanded Lazarus….

John 11:43 “And when He had thus spoken,  He cried with a loud voice,   Lazarus, come forth.”

No one had to touch him, or bring him out to Jesus…..Christ’s very voice commanded life,  and it was done.

(This was a revelation, to those there,  that Christ had power over death…..yet the folly of sin made the Pharisees and chief priest believe they could destroy Him and His kingdom.  How sin blinds and deceives!)

And Lazarus came forth…still bound with the grave clothes of death….but very much alive.   (John 11:44)

Then Jesus said, “Loose him, and let him go.”

(And isn’t this what Jesus speaks to our death and sins,  for us)

Martha had great faith…..

…she sometimes let herself get burdened with “things”….but she received the gentle rebuke of her Lord, and trusted in Him as the Son of God.

(Her faith led her to be the only woman to declare that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of God”.

Peter had (Matthew 16:16), and many believed on Him…..but Martha was the only woman who scripture shows to have made this public confession.)

Jesus loved Martha….

…He had fellowship and friendship in her house,

…He corrected her gently….yet every time He did, she gladly responded with more faith, and trust.

…He gave to her one of His names.

…It was for this family, that He showed His power over death.

Are we like Martha….growing in our love and testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ, even through rebukes, and sorrow?

John 11:1, 12:2,3

The mount of Transfiguration

Mark 9:2-4 “And after six days Jesus taketh with Him  Peter, and James, and John and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves:  and He was transfigured before them.

                   And His raiment became shining,  exceeding white as snow;  so as no fuller on earth can white them.

                  And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses:  and they were talking with Jesus.” 

The first thing to notice here, is that Jesus led these three disciples “into a high mountain…apart by themselves.”

                  Of course, Jesus knew what was to happen….and….if He had been after a manifestation of HIs glory and power….

….He could have led all His disciples, at the least….or the crowd that was gathered around Him, for healing….or called for the leaders and Pharisees to come.

But Jesus was there on that mountain…..not for a show….but for a conversation with HIs Father (Luke 9:28)…and two of God’s servants of old….”and spake of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:31)  

                 Moses,  who represented the Law….the very foundation of God’s Ways of good toward man. 

                And Elijah,  who represented the Prophets….but who was a mighty man of prayer (James 5:17-18).

They were speaking about Christ’s “decease”….which is “exodos” in the Greek.

               Speaking of  the exit, or departing….”which He should accomplish (make complete, finish) at Jerusalem” 

              (Remember, He went willingly to Jerusalem…and to the cross.  And on the cross before He gave up the ghost….He cried for all who would hear:  “It is finished”.  

               This was the subject of their conversation.   

               How wonderful for them to see the Christ they had loved and preached, standing  in HIs glory,  yet speaking of His death….to accomplish the promised Salvation!)

But now,  about those disciples which went with Him:   let us just say….we are so like them.   These are those of Jesus’ inner circle.    They are closest to HIm.   

             Peter has already confessed that He is the Christ, the Son of God. (Mark 8:29)

             All three have deserted their old life…and followed Jesus.   

And yet….let us be clear,  they are devoted to Christ….but still so full of themselves….and their way of thinking about things.

             In Luke, it says that while Jesus is praying,  they fall asleep (Luke 9:32)….and when Christ’s glory is shining…they wake up…and not knowing what to say!

The transfiguration was the glorification of the Man, Christ Jesus….it comes from the word “metamorphose”…and means Jesus was “changed” in appearance before them, like He would be after the resurrection.  (Acts 1:9-11)

                             What an amazing sight!

             Peter, so impetuous…especially with his mouth….speaking up, and speaking out:  he recommends they build three tabernacles;  one for each of them.   

             Pretty silly….even though he does put Jesus’s Tabernacle first….yet it is not buildings…no matter how grand that Jesus is speaking about….or showing.

             It was His journey to death and resurrection….that to God,  His Father,  was glorious…

….a fulfillment of the Law….and of the Prophet’s message.

                           But the disciples were “sore afraid”.    They were all afraid….

….but then…

…and how many times God has “covered” our silly words,  our fears,  our ridiculous thoughts….and spoken to us….pointing us to Christ Jesus our Lord:

Mark 9:7 “And there was a cloud that overshadowed them:  and a Voice came out of the cloud, saying,   This is My beloved Son:  hear Him.”

How many times have I wanted a great experience like this, in prayer?     Wanted to see a manifestation of the glory and power of God?   

              And how many times has the great experiences I have had with God,  been just a prelude to the real meat of the matter:

                         “Hear HIm”   I was to  listen to what Jesus is saying to me!  

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17)

Psalm 119:130 “The entrance of Thy Words giveth light;  it giveth understanding unto the simple.”

The lesson in the mount of Transfiguration is……

…. in the highs and lows of our Christian experience….we are to… watch our words,…..turn from ourselves and our ideas….

….and listen to the Words of Christ.

Faith, Hope, and Charity or Love.

Today, let us remember the greatest Lover of our souls, Christ Jesus;….and consider the value of the love He places within us by the Holy Spirit.

This is a whole chapter about love.   The love God places within us, and what He expects us to do with it.  

        It is not written for babes in Christ…for it speaks of putting away “childish things”; but it written to those who know their calling, and want to walk in God’s “more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31)

1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now abideth faith, hope, charity,  these three;  but the greatest of these is charity.”

These abide because they are of God, given us for our stability, encouragement, and use.

Faith is a gift of God when we are born again:

If you are truly saved…you will never lose your faith…though it be “little”, still it will lead you to heaven.

Faith abides because it comes from God the Father, to all who receive His Son, Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith,  we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Romans 3:24-25 “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

                         Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,  through the forbearance of God;”

And when we have faith,  God speaks to us through His Word, and from the Holly Spirit within:

Hope rises up within us after we have heard God.

Hope is that confident expectation that God will do what He said.

Hebrews 6:17-19 “Wherein God,  willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel,  confirmed it by an oath:

                                That by two immutable things,  in which it was impossible for God to lie,  we might have strong consolation,  who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us:

                                 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast,…”

Romans 5:2, 5 “by Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,  and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

                            And hope maketh not ashamed;  because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Hope in God’s Word, stirs our love for God.

Charity or love:  It abides because it comes from God to you.  It is one of the first things we feel, when we are born again.  He loves us.  Wow!

1 John 4:19 “We love Him,  because He first loved us.”

We have lots of emotions,  and affections….all of which affect us.

But when we know the Lord loves us….really loves  us;   it changes things.

Love abides because it comes from God, and it grows as we give it back to God.

Love also is a testimony to others that we belong to Christ.  (John 13:35)

But while they all abide, by the Holy Spirit within us.   They also all work.

Faith makes all things of God, real to us.

Hope keeps us steady in all the storms which come.

Look at what love;  the love God placed within our hearts, does!   It changes our attitudes, feeling, and actions, within us and without us!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Charity suffereth long,  and is kind;  charity envieth not;  charity vaunteth not itself,  is not puffed up,

(All these have to do with the change God’s love has on our attitude toward ourselves, and others.)

                               Doth not behave itself unseemly,  seeketh not her own,  is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

(These have to do with our emotions and whether they will spill out;  or if God’s love will have the victory over them.)

                               Rejoiceth not in iniquity,  but rejoiceth in the truth;  

(This has to do with loving the Truth.  How much of our lives before Christ have we wasted in loving [and sometimes living] a lie.   God’s love changes that:  we move away from anything which separates us from the Lord,  and cling to the Truth in Jesus.)

                               Beareth all things,   Believeth all things, hopeth all things,  endureth all things.”

(I must admit, the first time I read this, years ago, I thought;  “What?! Surely the Lord made a mistake!”   But I have come to see:    It is not bearing all the things of the world,  or believing them.   No, it has nothing to do with the world;  but everything to do with God.)

Bearing all the circumstances, people and places…God puts me in:   God’s Love does that in me.

Believing all that God says about this person, work, study,  whatever….whether I ever see the “results” I think should be there.

Hoping in God’s Promises, ever.  God’s love within me helps me to “hang on” to that Word.

Endure all things which come to me, because God’s love to me,  makes me stronger than the anger or resentment which the Adversary of my soul wants me to feel.     And because I can pray for all the changes necessary for my good; the Lord hears me.

God’s Faith, Hope, and Love abide…and they can keep growing in me;  working within me the greatest work:  to love God with all my soul, with all my heart,  with all of me.

1 Corinthians 13:8 “Charity (love) never faileth:…”

God’s love will never fail you…yield to Him:  by faith….be anchored in hope…and receive and keep receiving His love, within you by the Holy Spirit;…..and then through you.